MSNBC Vet Izzy Povich Named VP Talent And Development

MSNBC’s Izzy Povich has been named VP Talent and Development at the cable news network. She will lead talent development and recruitment for all platforms and will work with the net’s top brass on “editorial strategy and special projects” across the network, MSNBC president Phil Griffin said in today’s announcement. The news comes on the heels of programming announcements at the ratings-hungry network, including the return of Ed Schultz to the weekday lineup and the demise of its Friday prison documentary series. Last fall, Povich’s name surfaced on the reported short list of candidates to replace Jim Bell as exec producer of NBC News’ Today. During her long tenure at MSNBC, she had exec produced both Keith Olbermann’s and Lawrence O’Donnell’s programs. From Griffin’s announcement:

Izzy brings significant experience and strong relationships both internally and externally to this new position. She’s has been with MSNBC since 1996, just four months after the network debuted. Part of what makes MSNBC so unique is our core group of “originals” who’ve been here since the beginning. Izzy knows who we are and where we are going. She’s a trusted advisor to me and has been crucial to the success of our top shows over the past decade. Izzy’s leadership and creativity will be key as MSNBC continues to expand, both on-air and online. I’m grateful for the significant contributions Izzy has already made to MSNBC and I’m thrilled to have her in this enhanced role.